Shoe, In Particular a Running Shoe

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a shoe, in particular a running shoe, comprising: an outsole, which has a predetermined ball line ( 37 ), which extends from an inner ball point to an outer ball point, and a ball rocker ( 38 ), which is offset rearward toward the heel end ( 26 ) in relation to the ball line ( 37 ) by an average ball rocker distance ( 41 ); an upper; and an insole, which is arranged above the outsole and which is adhesively bonded, together with an edge of the upper, to a top side of the outsole.

The invention relates to a shoe, in particular a running shoe, according to the preamble of Claim 1.

Running shoes which are adapted to the particular requirements of a runner are known in the prior art, wherein reference is made by way of example to DE 20 2005 013 798 U1. In such running shoes, the ball of the foot is arranged centrally above a rolling off or tilting line of a lower side of the sole (ball roll). The rolling off or tilting line determines the point in time in which the heel of the runner lifts. Overall, the running shoes mentioned in the prior art have been considered to be unsatisfactory in particular in an ergonomic aspect, wherein said shoes according to the prior art are disadvantageous for diabetics in particular as a result of an occurrence of high pressure stresses during running and in particular during rolling off.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to propose a shoe, in particular a running shoe, which solves the above-mentioned problems and results in improved ergonomics and improved force distribution during running at the same time.

This object is achieved by a shoe, in particular a running shoe, according to Claim 1.

In particular, the object is achieved by a shoe, preferably a running shoe, having a predetermined ball line, which extends from an inner ball point to an outer ball point and has a ball roll, which is offset in the rear in the direction of the heel end in relation to the ball line by a mean ball roll distance, wherein the shoe furthermore has a shoe upper and an insole arranged above the outsole, which is glued to an edge of the shoe upper on a top side of the outsole.

One important concept of the invention is that a rolling off or tilting line is offset to the rear in relation to the ball of the foot in a shoe according to the invention. This has the result that the shoe rolls off in front of the ball during running. This in turn reduces a rolling off resistance and thus improves the ergonomics and, accompanying this, pressure stresses occurring during running, which is a significant advantage in particular for persons having skin and/or circulation problems, in particular in the legs and/or feet.

The ball line determines the ball position and is an imaginary line between the balls of the big and little toes (or between an inner and outer ball). The ball line is therefore defined on the basis of predefined proportions of an individual foot or of an average foot on which the shoe is based. Each shoe therefore has a uniquely defined ball line, which can be determined using measurements which are routine in the art. For example, the ball line can divide a sole length into 37% forefoot length and 63% rear foot length.

At the same time, the shoe according to the invention has a shoe upper and an insole, which is glued onto a top side of the outsole. By way of this measure according to the invention, the stability of the shoe, in particular the running shoe, is increased, and therefore the hold of a foot in the shoe is improved, wherein the stiffness, in particular the torsional stiffness, of the shoe is optimized by the insole glued to the top side of the outsole.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the insole is formed rigid, i.e., stiff in normal use, specifically torsion-resistant and bending-resistant. The torsional stiffness or torsional stability of the shoe according to the invention and in particular the torsional stiffness or torsional stability of the outsole thereof can advantageously be improved further in this way, so that in use of the shoe according to the invention, a pressure stress acting on the sole of a foot is distributed essentially uniformly over essentially the entire sole of the foot and, in particular during running, no pressure spikes occur, as is the case in conventional footwear known from the prior art, which is painful and therefore disadvantageous in particular for persons having skin and/or circulation problems, in particular in the legs and/or feet. A shoe according to the invention is therefore particularly well suitable for such a group of persons, wherein the shoe according to the invention is also particularly comfortable and pleasant to wear for all other persons as a result of its optimized properties and is particularly well suitable for strolling, fast walking, walking, and running.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the shoe according to the invention, in particular the running shoe, has a tarsal region and a metatarsal region (metatarsal zone), wherein the tarsal region is formed softer on average at an inner tarsal region edge section than at an outer tarsal region edge section and/or wherein the metatarsal region is formed harder on average at an inner metatarsal region edge section than at an outer metatarsal region edge section. Here and hereafter, the terms “inside” or “inner” are to mean that the element referred to faces toward the respective other shoe in use of a pair of shoes. Accordingly, “outside” or “outer” are to mean that the element referred to is more remote from the respective other shoe in use of the pair of shoes. “Hardness” can be understood as the mechanical resistance, with which the material of one edge section of a test body made of the material opposes the other edge section. The hardness can be measured, for example, according to Mohs, Martens, or Brinell.

According to an even more general concept, the inner tarsal region edge section can be formed such that when the foot is placed thereon, it opposes it with a lower resistance on average than the outer tarsal region edge section. In the same way, the inner metatarsal region edge section can be formed such that when the foot is placed thereon, it opposes it with a greater resistance on average than the outer metatarsal region edge section. This can also be achieved, for example, by a different arch or profile, in particular profile depth. In this manner, the shoe according to the invention can be optimally adapted to the requirements of a wearer or user.

In any case, particularly ergonomic running is enabled by such a setting of the mechanical resistance of the outsole. In particular, the resistance curve of the sole follows the natural S-shaped rolling off line of humans, so that an essentially uniform and adapted force distribution acts on a foot located in the shoe, or the sole of the foot. In this case, a first ground contact takes place on a slightly supinated heel. While the entire foot has ground contact, the main stress is increasingly displaced toward the base joint of the big toe, before the new step is initiated via the big toe. According to the invention, both the profile hardness and also the profile depth are therefore ergonomically adapted to the desired requirements.

In particular in combination with the recessed ball roll, efficient, energy-saving, and reduced-stress walking and running are enabled synergistically. A natural rolling off procedure with stable placement on the heel and rolling off via the forefoot is enabled. Furthermore, going upward and downward and also the standing phase are facilitated. Overall, this results in less appearances of fatigue and stress of the feet. As a result, the movement sequence is improved overall and a healthy walking and running picture is achieved.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the ball roll distance can be at least 2 mm, preferably at least 3 mm, still more preferably at least 5 mm, or at least 0.5%, preferably at least 1%, still more preferably at least 1.5% of a sole length. A ball roll distance of approximately 5 mm has proven to be particularly suitable. The ball roll distance can be at most 10 mm, preferably at most 7 mm, or at most 2.5%, preferably at most 1.7% of a sole length, measured along the longitudinal center axis.

The ball roll can extend at least regionally at a predetermined, oblique angle in relation to a longitudinal center axis, in particular following the natural course of the ball. The ergonomics during walking can thus be improved further.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the sole has an upward bend of a forefoot region and/or an elevated toe vault of, for example, at least 10 mm, preferably at least 15 mm. In conjunction in particular with the recessed ball roll, particularly energy-conserving walking can thus be enabled.

In one specific embodiment, a midsole is provided, in particular made of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) and/or polyurethane (PU). A ball roll of the midsole can also be arranged at a predetermined midsole ball roll distance behind the ball line. The midsole ball roll distance can correspond to the ball roll distance of the (entire) sole or can be defined thereby. The step initiation is further improved by such a measure and the rolling off of the foot is facilitated. The (damping) material of the midsole, in particular EVA or PU, can be adapted as harder or softer depending on the field of use.

The sole preferably comprises a pronation support in an arch region. This pronation support can also be formed from a material, such as EVA or PU, which is harder than the midsole, and can be formed with respect to its shape and hardness to stabilize the arch. The standing security and stepping security during walking are thus improved.

In one specific embodiment, the sole has a forefoot damping element. A degree of hardness of the forefoot damping element can be adapted such that the step execution flows and is not interrupted. The forefoot damping element can be oriented in its shape and composition so that it is adapted to the foot anatomy or the natural stepping behavior and relieves the pressure points. The forefoot damping element is also preferably made of a harder material than the midsole or the remaining components of the midsole.

Furthermore, at least one heel damping element can be provided in a heel region, the material of which, for example, EVA or PU, is preferably also formed harder than the material of the midsole. The heel damping element (heel wedge) can be formed so that it absorbs the starting strike and initiates the rolling off movement. The joints are those optimally protected and the rolling off movement is optimized. Overall, forefoot damping element, heel damping element, and torsion stabilizer further promote the ergonomics during running.

Furthermore, the outsole can have a reinforcement, which is plate-shaped or rod-shaped in particular, made of a torsion-resistant and bending-resistant material, preferably made of plastic or metal, in its rear region facing toward the heel. Such an element represents a torsion stabilizer, which preferably also consists of a harder material than the material of the midsole. The torsion stabilizer is provided in a midfoot region and is used as a midfoot bridge and increases the stability of the torsional movement, so that it advantageously prevents twisting of the forefoot toward the heel during the rolling off movement.

The sole preferably comprises a heel chamfer, wherein a boundary line of the chamfer located closer to the forefoot region is offset toward the rear at its inner end in relation to the outer end.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, a shoe interior is formed as essentially seam-free, wherein in particular sections in the shoe interior which adjoin a foot are seam-free. Furthermore, the shoe according to the invention advantageously has a soft shoe upper edge and, if desired, in particular in the forefoot and/or toe region, a soft, yielding toecap, so that according to the invention, all sections and parts of the shoe which adjoin a foot, a bone, and/or a lower leg are soft, yielding, and formed without irregularities or openings, so that pressure points do not occur in the shoe itself or on the upper edge thereof in use, which could result in disadvantageous irritations of the skin or the tissue, in particular in persons having skin and/or circulation problems. By ensuring such a soft and yielding shoe interior and soft upper edge, the shoe according to the invention is particularly well suitable for persons having skin and/or circulation problems, for example, for diabetics.

Furthermore, the shoe according to the invention, according to one preferred embodiment of the invention, has a removable inner sole in the form of a cushioned sole, which preferably has a pressure spike reduction in particular in the ball region. The inner sole insertable into the shoe according to the invention has a thickness in the range of 3 mm to 15 mm, preferably in the range of 6 mm to 12 mm, and particularly preferably in the range of 7 mm to 10 mm. This inner sole, which can also be formed as a cushioned sole as mentioned above, is produced in this case from a soft and yielding material, so that no pressure points and/or pressure peaks can also originate from this insole during use of the shoe. Furthermore, it is to be noted that the inner sole is conceived according to the invention so that it is removable and can be replaced by individually manufactured tailored and/or model inlays, by which the foot of a wearer can be individually supported.

Furthermore, the shoe according to the invention can have a shoe upper edge which is elevated essentially around the height of the cushioned sole and/or a forefoot region and midfoot region delimited to the rear by the ball line, so that an inner volume of the tarsal region in relation to a shoe having a conventional inner sole, the height of which is typically less than 3 mm, is enlarged by a range of 7% to 15%, preferably 9% to 13%. In this manner, the shoe according to the invention can particularly advantageously be provided with individually manufactured tailored and/or model inlays, which are generally formed significantly taller than conventional shoe inner soles, without the shoe inner volume being reduced in size unpleasantly in this manner and/or the heel region being raised sufficiently that pressure points would occur at the rear shoe upper edge of a shoe. The shoe according to the invention therefore has an interior which has sufficient inner volume, upon use of special inlays adapted to a foot, to reliably preclude the occurrence of pressure points both downward and also upward and toward the sides, so that damage to a foot located in the shoe according to the invention is reliably counteracted.

Moreover, it is to be noted that the ball roll is offset toward the rear in the direction of a heel end in relation to the ball line in the shoe according to the invention, wherein this offset arrangement is arranged essentially in parallel to the ball line and wherein a circumferential edge, which extends from an inner ball point to an outer ball point and envelops the forefoot, of the outsole defines a first envelope line, which has a first length, wherein a second envelope line, which follows the circumferential edge and the outsole enveloping the forefoot and the starting and end points of which are associated with respective opposing ends of the ball roll which is arranged offset, has a second length, wherein the second length has a greater length than the first length by a range of 9% to 14%, preferably by a range of 9.8% to 12.5%. The amount by which the ball roll is offset to the rear in the direction of the heel end in relation to the ball line in a shoe according to the invention is therefore oriented to the circumferential edge of the outsole enveloping the forefoot, wherein the respective length of the respective envelope line is dimensioned, on the one hand, at the respective opposing points of the ball line and, in the case of the ball roll offset to the rear, at the respective opposing end points of the ball roll.

Further embodiments result from the dependent claims.

The invention will also be described hereafter with respect to further features and advantages on the basis of exemplary embodiments, which are explained in greater detail on the basis of the figures.

In the figures:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a sole for a running shoe according to the invention in an exploded view, including a last for the production of the sole; and

FIG. 2 shows a sole for a running shoe according to the invention in a view from below (partially in an exploded illustration).

The same reference signs are used in the following description for identical and identically acting parts.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a sole 10 for a running shoe according to the invention in an exploded view and a last 11 for the production thereof. The last 11 comprises a recessed last ball roll 12 and is distinguished by an upward bend 13 and a comparatively tall toe vault 14, for example, of at least 10 mm. The last ball roll 12 at least partially defines the ball roll 38 of the sole 10 during production, as can also be seen in FIG. 2. The ball roll of the sole 10 is approximately 5 mm behind the natural ball position after production.

The sole 10 comprises an insole 15, a midsole 16, a torsion stabilizer 17, a heel wedge 18 as a heel damping element, and an outsole 19 having a profile. The hardness and flexibility of the shoe can be at least partially set via the insole 15 and therefore the field of use of the shoe can be defined. In this case, a Strobel-stitched embodiment having a comparatively soft textile insole can ensure a high level of flexibility. According to a preferred alternative according to the invention, however, the insole is glued on, specifically in particular with a shoe upper edge on the top side of the outsole. A hard insole promotes stability during running and furthermore enables a precisely defined, in particular uniform force distribution and surface load.

A forefoot damping element 20 and a pronation support 21 are integrated in the midsole 16. Both the forefoot damping element 20 and also the pronation support 21 are made of a material which is harder than the remaining components of the midsole 16. A midsole ball roll 22 is also recessed to facilitate the rolling off of the foot. The midsole ball roll is defined by a lower vertex line of the midsole.

The pronation support 21 is arranged in an arch region 23 at an inner edge 24 of the midsole 16 and promotes a pleasant pronation control or stabilization of the arch. In the present exemplary embodiment, the pronation support 22 is arranged within a longitudinal center axis 40 and the inner edge 24 of the midsole 16. The forefoot damping element 20 is arranged in a forefoot region 25 of the midsole 16 and is formed approximately kidney-shaped to relieve the pressure points.

The sole 10 is divided in two different ways hereafter: on the one hand, into the forefoot region 25 and into a rear foot region 42. These two regions are separated by the ball line. On the other hand, following the anatomy, a division into tarsal region 28, metatarsal region 29, and toe region 30 is performed. The ball line 37 is located inside the metatarsal region 29.

The midsole 16, if it is desired, is arranged in the shoe below the insole 15. The plate-shaped torsion stabilizer 17 and the heel wedge 18, or the heel damping element, are arranged below the midsole 16. The heel wedge can absorb the initial strike and initiate the rolling off movement, so that the joints are better protected and the rolling off movement is improved. The heel wedge 18 is formed as wedge-shaped and widens in the direction of a heel end 26 of the sole 10. The torsion stabilizer 17 is provided in the arch region 23 and can reduce or prevent the twisting of the forefoot in relation to the heel during a rolling off movement. The outsole 19 is arranged below torsion stabilizer 17 and heel wedge 18. A profile 27 (see also FIG. 2) is adapted to the natural walking picture of humans and follows the S-shaped rolling off line. In this case, the first ground contact can take place on slightly supinated heel. Furthermore, the profile hardness and profile depth of the sole of the shoe according to the invention can be adapted to the different requirements.

FIG. 2 shows a view of the sole 10 from below. The outsole 19 is divided in this case into a tarsal region 28, a metatarsal region 29, and a toe region 30. An inner tarsal region edge section 31 is formed softer in this case than an outer tarsal region edge section 32. Furthermore, an inner metatarsal region edge section 33 is formed harder than an outer metatarsal region edge section 34. An inner toe region edge section 35 is also harder than an outer toe region edge section 36.

Furthermore, a ball line 37 is shown in FIG. 2, in relation to which a ball roll 38 is offset to the rear by a ball roll distance 41, as predefined by the last ball roll 12 and the midsole ball roll 22. The ball roll 38 thus defined is offset in the present example by 5 mm to the rear in relation to the ball line 37 in the direction of the heel end 26.

The sole comprises a heel chamfer 44, wherein a boundary line 43 located closer to the forefoot region is offset to the rear at its inner end.

The sole 10 can be constructed in a building block fashion. In particular, a set of multiple lasts and/or insoles and/or midsoles and/or torsion stabilizers and/or heel wedges and/or outsoles can be provided. In this case, all elements can be individually adapted in hardness, material embodiment, and shape and therefore the sole can be adapted to different demands and functions, in particular to the requirements of persons having skin and/or circulation problems, in particular feet, for example, for diabetics. The field of use of the sole is thus decisively expanded in an advantageous manner.

FIG. 2 shows the course of the first envelope line 45 around the circumferential edge of the outsole enveloping the forefoot. The second envelope line 46, which is also schematically shown, is formed longer than the first envelope line 45. The first envelope line 45 extends from the respective opposing ends of the ball line 37 around the circumferential edge of the outsole, which is associated with the forefoot, while the second envelope line 46 extends from the respective opposing ends of the ball roll 38 around the circumferential edge of the outsole enveloping the forefoot. In the following table, the last volume, the length, and the width as well as the position of the ball roll of the shoe according to the invention are compared to the corresponding dimensions and the ball line of a conventional shoe, wherein it is clearly recognizable that the second envelope line 46, which is associated with the recessed ball roll 38 of a shoe according to the invention, is longer than the first envelope line 45, which is associated with a conventional shoe.

Last volume: shoe according to the invention versus conventional shoe

Shoe according to the invention

UK size

length (mm)

width (mm)

ball roll (mm)

step size

Conventional shoe

UK size

length (mm)

width (mm)

ball roll (mm)

step size

forefoot volume difference in mm

forefoot volume difference in %

It is to be noted here that all above-described parts are claimed as essential to the invention per se and in any combination, in particular the details illustrated in the drawings. Alterations thereof are routine for a person skilled in the art.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

10 sole

11 last

12 last ball roll

13 upward bend

14 toe vault

15 insole

16 midsole

17 torsion stabilizer

18 heel wedge (heel damping element)

19 outsole

20 forefoot damping element

21 pronation support

22 midsole ball roll

23 arch region

24 inner edge

25 forefoot region

26 heel end

27 profile

28 tarsal region

29 metatarsal region

30 toe region

31 inner tarsal region edge section

32 outer tarsal region edge section

33 inner metatarsal region edge section

34 outer metatarsal region edge section

35 inner toe region edge section

36 outer toe region edge section

37 ball line

38 ball roll

40 longitudinal center axis

41 ball roll distance

42 rear foot region

43 boundary line

44 heel chamfer

45 first envelope line

46 second envelope line 

1. A shoe, in particular a running shoe, having an outsole, which has a predetermined ball line (37), which extends from an inner ball point to an outer ball point, and a ball roll (38), which is offset to the rear in the direction of a heel end (26) by a mean ball roll distance (41) in relation to the ball line (37), a shoe upper, and an insole, which is arranged above the outsole and which is glued to a shoe upper edge on a top side of the outsole.
 2. The shoe according to claim 1, characterized in that the insole is formed as rigid, i.e., stiff in normal use, specifically torsion-resistant and bending-resistant.
 3. The shoe according to claim 1, characterized in that the outsole (10) has a tarsal region (28), a metatarsal region (29; metatarsal zone), and a toe region (30), wherein the tarsal region (28) is formed softer on average at an inner tarsal region edge section (31) than at an outer tarsal region edge section (32), and/or wherein the metatarsal region (29) is formed harder on average at an inner metatarsal region edge section (33) than at an outer metatarsal region edge section (34), and/or wherein the toe region (30) is formed harder on average at an inner toe region edge section (35) than at an outer toe region edge section (36).
 4. The shoe according to claim 1, characterized in that the outsole has a reinforcement, which is in particular plate-shaped or rod-shaped, in its rear region facing toward the heel, made of a torsion-resistant and bending-resistant material, preferably made of plastic or metal.
 5. The shoe according to claim 1, characterized in that a shoe interior, in particular at sections adjoining a foot, is formed as essentially seam-free.
 6. The shoe according to claim 1, characterized in that the shoe has a soft shoe upper edge and in particular a soft and yielding toecap in the toe region.
 7. The shoe according to claim 1, characterized in that the shoe has a removable inner sole in the form of a cushioned sole, preferably having a pressure spike reduction, in particular in the ball region, which has a thickness in the range of 3 mm to 15 mm, preferably in the range of 6 mm to 12 mm, and particularly preferably in the range of 7 mm to 10 mm, wherein the cushioned sole preferably consists of a soft, yielding material.
 8. The shoe according to claim 7, characterized in that the shoe has a shoe upper edge which is elevated essentially by the height of the cushioned sole and a forefoot region delimited to the rear by the ball line and also a middle foot region, wherein an inner volume of the forefoot region is enlarged in relation to a shoe having an inner sole, the height of which is less than 3 mm, by a range of 7% to 15%, preferably 9% to 13%.
 9. The shoe according to claim 1, characterized in that the ball roll (38) is arranged offset to the rear in relation to the ball line (37) in the direction of a heel end (26), preferably essentially in parallel to the ball line (37), wherein a circumferential edge of the outsole, which extends from an inner ball point to an outer ball point and envelops the forefoot, defines a first envelope line (45), which has a first length, wherein a second envelope line (46), which follows the circumferential edge of the outsole enveloping the forefoot and the starting and end points of which are associated with the respective opposing ends of the ball roll (38) arranged offset, has a second length, wherein the second length has a length greater than the first length by a range of 9% to 14%, preferably by a range of 9.8% to 12.5%. 